December 21, 2010We are a money conscious society. The topic of money comes up no matter how little or much we have of it. We talk about how we are going to get it, spend it, and save it. At times, the all mighty green seems to be the most important thing in the world. Obviously, money is important. Right now, I am thinking about a notebook or laptop and the cost of it does factor in for me and for hubby. Without money some of our basic needs would never be met: a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, clothes on our backs, and a vehicle to take us from point A to point B. Every human being knows money makes our lives more comfortable and the extreme lack there of can be utterly depressing. Personally, I don't have all the money in the world but I am not wrenched by abject poverty-- I find myself somewhere in the middle. Maybe you are reading this and you are one of the wealthiest people in the world or maybe you are the one who is poverty stricken--this talk is for us all. Yesterday was my birthday and I thought to myself if I could list 48 random things(48 years old on yesterday) that money can't buy, what would be on that list. I challenge you to do the same and come up with a number of things that have impacted your life that money can't buy. Maybe you could write it in a journal or list them on notebook paper and put it on the refrigerator. Maybe you don't want to write the list down--but just think about it. No matter how you chose to document --do it for yourself to remind yourself of your true values. We all need to be reminded of how blessed we really are on days when the world is not a great place to be in--especially on those days when money seems to be the only thing that really matters. Garth Brooks said, "you aren't wealthy until you have something money can't buy." For me, THESE ARE THE THINGS MONEY CAN'T BUY:

1. God's grace in every form--(what would I do without it?!?!).2. The light in my husband's eyes when I enter a room.3. Jared's hugs (my son) at any time. (WORLD CLASS)4. Zachary's smile (my son) when he gets off the bus after a long day at school.5. Chinwe's love, patience, and maturity (my daughter) for a mother that is far from perfect.6. THE ASSURANCE that my special needs kid will be okay when I am no longer here.7. TRUE FORGIVENESS OF A MORBIDLY EVIL ACT. (Here's a billion dollars, I'm sorry I tortured and killed your love one)8. Genuine respect from those that have nothing to gain except my respect in return. (FLATTERY CAN BE PURCHASED)9. Peace that surpasses understanding.10. An unexpected sincere compliment from a child that you have never met. (Once a year is like a slice of heaven--I got two this year)11. A self-esteem that is in tact and comes from a place of just knowing who you really are from the inside out.12. A mother that only cares about your highest good. (PRICELESS)13. Uninterrupted sleep that gives you rest for the spirit, mind and body. (SOME HAVE THE BEST BEDS BUT THEY DON'T SLEEP)14. Being in the right place at the right time.15. A belly laugh that comes from your baby the very first time you hear it.16. Friends you can call 3:00 am and they will answer the phone. 17. Racquetball on days when you want to punch someone. (I call it COURT THERAPY)18. Class/Manners--some have it and others don't.19. Health (MONEY CAN JUST BUY THE MEDICINE)20. Fountain of Youth Immortality (SO OVERRATED)21. Time loss once it is gone.22. Real talk with real people who don't do B.S. 23. Happy Joy (THAT'S JOY ALL DRESSED UP) Happiness can be bought and joy may not always be lucid because it is on the inside. HAPPY JOY is like the sun--its light can always be seen. 24. Sunday morning coffee with the girls.25. Wednesday night choir rehearsal. (SINGING IS MY THERAPY)26. The ebb and flow of the Atlantic ocean.27. The vastness of the Pacific ocean.28. Seeing a total lunar eclipse of a full moon on a winter solstice. (THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE 1378)29. Music that comes from a pure place that penetrates the heart--genre does not matter! 30. Grandparents that treat you like they gave birth to you.31. Comedy/Humor in its purest form when you least expect it. (ROFL!!!)32. An entity called A WALL provided by FACEBOOK where you get to be a blessing and you are blessed in return. (TECHNOLOGY DOES HAVE ITS ADVANTAGES)33. Pets frolicking early in the morning with one another who give that same love to you during snuggle time.34. A home that is a retreat and a sanctuary. (If your house is only a showcase, you are missing out)35. A glass of wine when the full moon is in all its glory and you really feel like you can reach our and touch it. (SOUTH FLORIDA SKIES)36. Talents and gifts that come from God--training can enhance it but training is not responsible for it.37. Being in a place where you can experience and know different cultures and appreciate someone so vastly different from yourself. 38. Passion for life that is so infectious that you infect everything and everyone around you.39. Mentors that don't have an agenda who have been purposely placed in your life to take you to the next level.40. Objects of sentimental value--i.e., cards, notes, pictures, etc.41. The kind of beauty that makes you weep because you know God is the consummate artist.42. The rising of the sun and the setting of the same.43. The face of authentic compassion when there is no audience to applaud.44. Sharing with seniors a gift that will keep on giving. (GAVE ONE OF MY MOM'S SEWING MACHINE TO SENIORS THAT MAKE "Peace Dolls" FOR CHILDREN IN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS)45. Fresh flowers from my own garden.46. A great book and a silent house.47. A neighbor that will call 2:00 am and ask is everything okay because your garage door is up.48. God's never ending love--even when everybody else thinks God does not exist.

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Blogger Bio:

Theda Okona is a former storyteller and co-host for an internet radio broadcast. She lives to be inspired. Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, Writer, Speaker, Vocalist and Author of Clouds of Grace--she has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English.